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iPod Car audio Head Unit that allows iPod control

C

ClemTiger0408

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 30, 2007
266
7
I am looking at replacing my current car audio head unit that has an iPod cable. The problem with it is that it does not allow the iPod to be controlled while hooked up and the head unit's interface is slow and awful.

Are there any good head units out there that will allow me to use the iPod for control while remaining connected?
 
I have a Pioneer touch screen DVD player in my car that has a iPod connector. Everything on the iPod is controlled on the stereos screen. All the band info such as name, song title and album are shown on screen. It also plays my iPod videos on the stereos screen as well. It can play playlists and every function that the iPod can do.

My stereo was $499 and the iPod cable was free with purchase but sells for about $15. I can't tell you the stereo model number right now though.
 
Here's my choice:

Sony Xplōd CDX GT640UI

CDX-GT640UI.jpg


I have the slightly older CDX-GT630UI and love it because you can use the iPod data cable that came with your iPod to directly connect to the USB connector on front of the player and also includes a remote control, too.
 
All new pioneer that have iPod ontergration have the option to be control on the iPod and still get good sound from USB rather than Jack. I've have it and love it don't remember the model but I got it few months ago
 
If you have a touch or iPhone and are willing to jailbreak your iPod, there's a terrific free app that overrides the "Accessory Connected" splash screen, and will show the iPod controls while also allowing full control via USB of a car stereo. Was worth jailbreaking just for that.
 
I have an Alpine unit, which workes great with my iTouch / iPhone. It controlls the iPod and displays the song and band and the album-art, which looks really cool and Alpine is well kowen for it's sound especially because these units use their own D/A converters instead of the one inside the iPod.
 
He wants to connect the ipod via the cable, so that it charges, but wants to control the ipod from the ipod, not the crappy UI of the head unit.
 
puma1552 said:
He wants to connect the ipod via the cable, so that it charges, but wants to control the ipod from the ipod, not the crappy UI of the head unit.
Click to expand...

Thanks Puma.

He's right. I want to control the iPod FROM THE iPOD not the head unit.

In my experience I have not found a single head unit that controls an iPod well enough for it to be better or even comparable to controlling the iPod. I have found that I am more dangerous driving trying to slowly navigate through the the library from my head unit than quickly selecting songs on the iPod.

I wish that Jailbreak app was available through the iTunes store, because I don't really want to Jailbreak.
 
Sorry to hi-jack a bit, but does anyone know of a car head unit that allows you to adjust the star-rating of songs?
 
I could be wrong, but if you want to control with the iPod itself than I think you will be limited to stereo head units that have the old mini-jack aux input. If being able to charge your iPod is of priority than you can just get a cigarette lighter usb plug in like this.

I believe with this set up you can charge and listen at the same time while maintaining control on the iPod itself. I can test it out for you as we have the charger as described, but use one of the old tape interfaces for iPod connectivity since our car stereo is "ancient" stock unit with a built in tape deck. I'll post back with results soon.
 
gco212 said:
If you have a touch or iPhone and are willing to jailbreak your iPod, there's a terrific free app that overrides the "Accessory Connected" splash screen, and will show the iPod controls while also allowing full control via USB of a car stereo. Was worth jailbreaking just for that.
Click to expand...

ClemTiger0408 said:
Thanks Puma.

He's right. I want to control the iPod FROM THE iPOD not the head unit.

In my experience I have not found a single head unit that controls an iPod well enough for it to be better or even comparable to controlling the iPod. I have found that I am more dangerous driving trying to slowly navigate through the the library from my head unit than quickly selecting songs on the iPod.

I wish that Jailbreak app was available through the iTunes store, because I don't really want to Jailbreak.
Click to expand...

mscriv said:
I could be wrong, but if you want to control with the iPod itself than I think you will be limited to stereo head units that have the old mini-jack aux input. If being able to charge your iPod is of priority than you can just get a cigarette lighter usb plug in like this.

I believe with this set up you can charge and listen at the same time while maintaining control on the iPod itself. I can test it out for you as we have the charger as described, but use one of the old tape interfaces for iPod connectivity since our car stereo is "ancient" stock unit with a built in tape deck. I'll post back with results soon.
Click to expand...

Sounds like gco212 answered your question, or am I misunderstanding this?
 
ClemTiger0408 said:
He's right. I want to control the iPod FROM THE iPOD not the head unit.
Click to expand...

You're in luck. The Sony CDX-GT640UI allows you to change control modes so instead of the iPod controlled from the car stereo itself, you can control the iPod using the iPod controls. This feature is one I find useful on the slightly older CDX-GT630UI that I have in my car. :)
 
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